all in the family
"I kneel before the Father from Whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name; and I pray." —Ephesians 3:14-16
Today's first reading is possibly the greatest family prayer ever. It teaches us that, when we pray for our family and others, we should first of all pray for "gifts in keeping with the riches of His glory" (Eph 3:16). Family life is humanly impossible. We must admit this and then pray for supernatural gifts from God.
The demands of family life are overwhelming. The only way we will survive is by asking for and receiving inward strength "through the working of His Spirit" (Eph 3:16). We need not only divine gifts and inward strength, but we need God Himself to reside in our family (Eph 3:17). We bring this about by inviting Jesus into our hearts through faith (Eph 3:17). With God actually living in our family, love can now be the root and foundation of our family life (Eph 3:17), for God is Love (1 Jn 4:16). Because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Pt 4:8) and never fails (1 Cor 13:8), our families will be holy families, built up in love (Eph 4:16).
This may seem impossible to you, but God's "power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20). So start praying the family prayer in Ephesians 3:16-17. Keep praying and obeying. Your family will be so transformed that, when you have a family reunion in heaven soon, not one family member will be missing.
Prayer: Father, may my family "grasp fully, with all the holy ones, the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love, and experience this love" (Eph 3:18-19).
Promise: "I have come to light a fire on the earth. How I wish the blaze were ignited!" —Lk 12:49
Praise: St. John, who faithfully promoted devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and His mother, was so powerful in his prayers that many miracles were attributed to him.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, May 1, 2008
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.